A study of head and neck cancer patients with special reference to tobacco use and educational level

Background: In India, head and neck cancers (HNCs) are common and constitute 20%–30% of all cancers. The most common risk factors are consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Betel nut chewing with or without tobacco is a major risk factor for HNC in India, especially in the Northeast India. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based retrospective study to measure the descriptive scenario of HNC cases along with their demographic and risk factor profile. The patients diagnosed from June 01, 2014, to December 31, 2014, were included in the study. The data of patients were analyzed for age, gender, subsites, stage at diagnosis, pattern and prevalence of tobacco usage, and different education level of patients. Chi-square test was performed to assess the association of gender and tobacco habits. Results: One thousand four hundred and twenty-eight patients were included in the study, M: F was 4:1, hypopharynx in males (36.2%) and mouth in females (39.8%) were leading HNC sites, and majority (83.8%) presented in locally advanced stages. Majority of patients (34.1%) and tobacco users (34.7%) were illiterates, and 82.9% of all HNC patients were tobacco users. Males with cancers of the tongue, hypopharynx, and larynx (P < 0.05) were significantly at an increased risk of developing HNC with tobacco consumption. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that improvement in the education level may lead to decline in the use of tobacco and thereby reduction in the burden of HNC patients.